No rewards on the way: studying Polish with Duolingo by Taiwanese student – learning strategies and the app appropriability
No rewards on the way: studying Polish with Duolingo by Taiwanese student – learning strategies and the app appropriability

Summary/Abstract: The present study investigated language learning strategies applied by a female Taiwanese university student mastering Polish at the intermediate level, using Duolingo to supplement regular instruction in class. A case study, with daily self-reflection forms and in-depth interviews as the main tool of data collection, was conducted in order to understand (1) what LLS the student used and how she perceived them, (2) what picture of Taiwanese millennials learning Polish immerged from her responses and (3) how helpful the application was in this particular setting. The project included explicit LLS instruction followed by 30 self-study sessions with Duolingo. Data analysis revealed a marked preference for cognitive strategies, used 2.5 times more often than metacognitive ones, as well as clear avoidance of social mediation LLS. Elaboration, inferencing, deduction, note-taking, transfer, and monitoring were reportedly deployed more often than other strategies. The choice of LLS had been conditioned by the informant’s educational background, highly competitive and test-oriented, and well as training in high school. Her responses revealed high regard for values associated with individualism. Duolingo was seen as a valuable substitute for traditional instruction if no off-line course was available. The participant, however, expressed her frustration stemming from the necessity to use English to study with the app. The key considerations included: the importance of sufficient promotion of PF language and culture, paying more attention to students’ backgrounds and LLS repertoire, a need for explicit LLS training, as well as – for Duolingo – honoring the needs of users with lower EFL proficiency.

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